At 6-foot-3, 277 pounds, DeShawn Washington would understand if little kids run in the opposite direction.

"Maybe at first," said Washington, who has been named the Defensive MVP of the 2013 Super Gold Football Team, presented by Howell Furniture. "But they'd learn to like me."

The youngsters could be in Washington's future if he pursues one of his possible career goals.

"I always wanted to be a doctor," Washington, a Nederland senior defensive lineman, said. "I want to help people whether working with little kids, being a therapist or psychiatrist - just something where I can help people."

Kindness is just one element of Washington, who can be defined in several different ways. He's gentle, a terror to opposing quarterbacks, friendly, a Texas A&M commit and one of the best players Larry Neumann has seen in 21 years of coaching the Bulldogs.

"DeShawn is right at the top," Neumann said. "We've had some really good defensive tackles through the years and I don't want to slight them, but DeShawn is genetically blessed with strength, speed and athleticism. He has all the characteristics that most defensive tackles only posses some of."

Washington has been one of the constants during a three-year campaign in which the Bulldogs stayed undefeated in District 20-4A. It takes a moment to soak in the fact that he and other three-year varsity players, such as Super Gold honorees Colton Kimler and Caleb Malveaux, don't know what if feels like to lose a district game.

"It meant a lot to DeShawn and that senior class," Neumann said. "I found that out after we talked about it, that it was one of their goals. I've had some seniors tell me how driven they were by the streak and finishing this year."

Neumann took full advantage of the versatile Washington in his time at Nederland, playing him at offensive tackle, tight end, defensive tackle and defensive end.

When opponents and college scouts started to take notice of Washington, things changed.

Opposing offenses began doing everything they could to contain the Nederland defensive line, which led the district in rush defense this season.

"With DeShawn and Caleb, it wasn't always what they were doing, but what they allowed people around them to do," Neumann said. "Sometimes you can get frustrated because you're not the guy making the tackle. DeShawn never had that problem."

Washington said he never thought he could use football as a way to attend college until his junior year.

"I always wanted to play football when I grew up, but I never thought I'd make it until I got my first call from Texas A&M last year," he said.

The call and eventual scholarship offer didn't change Washington on or off the field.

"No matter how many scholarship offers you have, you play the game because you want to win and your team to do well," he said. "If my teammates are giving their all, I need to give mine, too."

Washington knows that nothing is guaranteed next season in College Station. He could redshirt his freshman season, get some playing time or watch from the sidelines for most of the year.

Whatever, the situation may be, he said he can't wait for the games that A&M fans circle on their calendars; heading to Alabama on Oct. 18 or the season finale at home against LSU.

But while he's going through experiences few get to have, he said it just won't be the same as his humble beginnings on Friday nights at Bulldog Stadium.

"I just love the high school environment with familiar faces," Washington said.

"Friends and other parents you grew up with. It's that hometown feeling."

Around the same time that the Aggies are starting their season, Neumann will be doing the same without some of his biggest pieces.

"We are going to kind of wipe the slate clean," he said. "It'll be a new team that we're going to start building and leadership will be important. The things that DeShawn did along with the other seniors will be a great example to follow."